UPDATE: Alabama Recruiting Update: Another BIG Weekend

Last weekend, the Crimson Tide hosted a large contingent of 2022 recruits on official visits. Ratings are provided by the 247sports Composite. The comments are mine.

LAST WEEKEND

• Zach Rice, 5-star No. 5 overall, OT, Lynchburg, VA - First visit to T-town with mom along for the tour. You know how Nick Saban is with moms... The duo were most impressed with the programs and science of David Ballou and Dr. Matt Rhea. 247sports compares Rice to Jedrick Wills.
• Enai White, 4-star No. 39, EDGE, Philadelphia, PA - He will come back for a game this fall before making a decision.
• Branson Robinson, 4-star No. 45, RB, Madison, MS - With top RB Emmanuel Henderson and high 4-star Le’veon Moss already on board, there may not be room for another RB at Alabama.
• Elijah Pritchett, 4-star No. 97, OT, Columbus, GA - Stands 6-7/290. May be an Alabama lean but no announcement is expected any time soon.
• Jaleel Skinner, 4-star No. 78, TE, Greer, SC - Bama is in the running for top 2022 tight end.
• Bryce Anderson, 4-star No. 47, S, Beaumont, TX - Texas lean.
• Dani Dennis-Sutton, 4-star No. 64 overall SDE, Owings Mills (Md.) - He is down to Bama, UGA and Penn State. Many believe PSU is the team to beat. Tuscaloosa is the first visit his dad took with him. His mom went on the other two visits.
• Isaiah Bond, 4-star No. 340, ATH, Buford, GA - Florida commit. WR/DB is listed at 6-0/175 but looks smaller.

Also among the stars were a few high profile unofficial visitors:

• Despite being committed to Oklahoma, Luther Burden made the trek to Tuscaloosa from his hometown of St. Louis, MO. He was hosted by the newest Alabama receiver Jameson Williams who Burden called “big bro” and said he hoped to return to T-town. The nation’s top ranked WR for 2022 made his pledge to the Sooners back in October of last year and could be swayed but it will be a mighty tough task. [SIDE NOTE: Both Tuscaloosa and Norman, OK are about the same distances from STL.]
• Southern Cal fans will absolutely meltdown if Saban flips another of their 5-star commits from their back yard. The nation’s No. 4 overall player Domani Jackson was in town with his dad who raved about the visit. The younger Jackson attends Mater Dei High in Santa Ana, CA, which is the alma mater of Tide QB Bryce Young. The two athletes have remained friends and were able to reconnect last week. Jackson’s and Young’s fathers are friends as well and were able to exchange information about attending the Capstone. The defensive back is expected to return for an official visit. Bama is definitely in the hunt for this difference maker.
• Earl Little Jr. was also in attendance in an unofficial capacity and looks to be trending to the Crimson Tide. The 4-star CB attends American Heritage in Fort Lauderdale which just so happens to be coached by Patrick Surtain Sr.
• The state’s top prospect Jeremiah Alexander was back in Tuscaloosa throughout the weekend. It was the Edge rusher’s second visit to the campus this summer. Alabama is in a very good position to land the nation’s No. 16 overall prospect.

THIS WEEK’S OFFICIAL VISITS

The Crimson Tide concludes their tenth and final High School Camp on Saturday which also marks another big recruiting weekend for Alabama. 5-star DL Walter Nolen, No. 3 overall from Cordova, TN, was in town on Wednesday on an unofficial visit.

Below is a list of 2022 official visitors for the week.

June 22-23

• Shazz Preston, 4-star WR, No. 69 overall (Saint James, LA) - May be leaning LSU.

June 25

• J.T. Tuimoloau, 2021 5-star SDE, Sammamish (Wash.) - Tuscaloosa is his last official visit. He has not set an announcement date. Yes, Alabama will find a way to take him. Cancelled.
• Denver Harris, 5-star CB, No. 8 overall, North Shore, TX - same high school as Bama’s Damieon George. Tall, long 6-1/180 frame. Want.
• Omari Abor, 5-star SDE, No. 23 overall, Duncanville, TX - same HS as the Tide’s Kendrick Blackshire.
• Bear Alexander, 5-star DL, No. 30 overall, Fort Worth, TX - He may be a Texas A&M lean right now.
• Tyler Booker, 4-star OT, No. 42 overall, originally from New Haven, CT. Transferred to IMG Academy where he was JC Latham’s bookend tackle last season.
• Terrance Brooks, 4-star CB, No. 58 overall, Plano, TX - Father was a Texas A&M safety who played three years for the San Francisco 49ers. This official visit to Tuscaloosa is his last after Oregon, Ohio State, Florida, Texas. The Aggies are in the mix as well. Definitely a take.
• Anthony Lucas 4-star DL, No. 83 overall, Scottsdale, AZ - Also his final official visit after TAMU, Oregon, Notre Dame and Miami.
• Nicholas Singleton, 4-star RB, No. 99 overall, Reading, PA - As mentioned above, it will be difficult for Alabama to take a third running back in this class.
• Jake Pope, 3-star Safety/Athlete, Buford, GA - He also played WR, KR for AAAAAA state champs. Former teammate of Tide OL Seth McLaughlin.
• Dayne Shor, 3-star OT, Alpharetta, GA - Attended IMG Academy in 2020 but missed his junior season due to a shoulder injury suffered during preseason practices. This likely affects his ranking.
• And of course 5-star QB Alabama commit Ty Simpson will be back, this time for his one and only official visit.

COMMIT ANNOUNCEMENT

Amari Niblack (St. Petersburg, FL) is expected to commit to Alabama today. At 6-4/220, he is a WR/TE hybrid that the Tide staff hope is in the realm of Kyle Pitts.

2023

Several 2023 commits have been camping this month but there is not much need to cover them just yet. I will say, however, that that class might be another historical one for Alabama.

SHEMAR JAMES

This past weekend, 4-star linebacker Shemar James surprisingly committed to Florida. There has been some speculation around the interwebz that “Alabama didn’t really want him” or that he didn’t have a “committable offer” from the Tide. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Crimson Tide definitely wants James and will continue to recruit him until his signed LOI is sent to the school of his choice in December or February.

James made an official visit to Gainesville this past weekend and committed to the Gators on Sunday. It very well could be that he got caught up in the moment and made an announcement. The majority of recruits usually take time to step back from the recruiting process before making their decision.

Could he stick to his Florida commitment? Yes, but as I have said many times before, it is a long way until Signing Day.

NO MORE RUNNING OF THE GUMPS?

RBR sources have told us that it is highly unlikely Alabama will have a Fan Day this year. In the past, the event took place in August following a Crimson Tide open practice. The fans were allowed on the field to seek autographs from players and coaches.

Upon first reflection, one might think this cancellation is due to potential germ-spreading. However, it is more likely preventive measures against of the impending NIL legislation chaos.

ROLL TIDE

#NSD22